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Apply for Special Housing Needs
Special Housing Consideration Guidelines
(For Students with Disabilities, SEN, Personal Circumstances, or Other Special Housing Needs)
1. Purpose
These guidelines are intended to support students who require special housing consideration due to disability or Special Educational Needs (SEN), health conditions, or other significant personal circumstances.
Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) adopts a student-centred and case-by-case approach to ensure fair and appropriate housing support, while balancing individual needs and available resources.
2. General Application Requirements
To assist in assessing the student’s request, students are encouraged to submit:
- A completed application and consent form; and
- Relevant supporting documentation available at the time of application.
Supporting documents help the University understand the student’s needs and determine appropriate housing arrangements.
Students are encouraged to submit available documents at the point of application. Where necessary, additional or updated information may be requested during the review process.
3. Types of Supporting Documents
Students may provide one or more of the following:
- Professional assessment reports prepared by qualified practitioners (e.g., licensed physicians, clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, or registered therapists).
- Documentation of previous accommodations (e.g. school or university support)
- Relevant official records (e.g. medical notes, legal or safety-related documentation)
All documents should:
- Clearly describe the student’s current condition or situation;
- Explain how the condition justifies the need for a special housing arrangement and impacts residential life;
- Include the name and credentials of the issuing professional or authority.
4. Validity and Recency of Documentation
Documentation should be sufficiently recent to reflect the student’s current condition and housing needs.
As a general reference:
- Permanent physical disabilities or long-term medical conditions: Existing documentation may be accepted, though updated information may be requested if functional impacts need clarification;
- Learning or developmental conditions (e.g. ADHD, ASD): documentation within the past 3–5 years is preferred;
- Mental health or conditions subject to change: more recent documentation (e.g. within 12 months) may be required.
Each application will be assessed individually. Additional information may be requested where necessary.
The Assessment
5. Special Housing Consideration
Applications may be considered under the following categories (not exhaustive):
A. Disability or Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Including but not limited to:
- Physical and Sensory Disabilities
- Learning and Developmental Disabilities
- Mental Illnesses
- Other Disabilities (e.g. Chronic medical illness)
B. Personal or Safety-Related Circumstances
Including but not limited to:
- Domestic violence or personal safety concerns
- Gender identity or religious needs
- Other serious personal or family situations
C. Other Special Housing Needs
Including but not limited to:
- Temporary medical conditions (e.g. injury)
- Short-term safety risks
- Exceptional financial hardship affecting housing access
Applicants should clearly explain how their situation affects their ability to reside in standard accommodation.
6. Housing Assessment and Allocation Process
(a) Application Channel
All applications must be submitted through the designated application channel managed by CEDARS.
Application link:
(b) Case-by-Case Review
Applications are reviewed by CEDARS relevant staff.
(c) Interactive Process
Where appropriate, the University may contact students to:
- Clarify individual needs;
- Discuss possible options;
- Request additional information.
(d) Housing Allocation
Approved students will be offered suitable accommodation arrangements, which may include:
- Priority allocation of student accommodation
- Adjustments to room location or environment (e.g. proximity to lift, quieter areas)
- Consideration of specific medical, safety, or personal needs
The University will make reasonable efforts to meet individual needs. However, specific halls, room types, or roommate preferences cannot be guaranteed.
Allocation decisions are subject to operational feasibility and overall housing availability.
(e) Types of Adjustments
Adjustments may include (where applicable):
- Accessible room location or facilities
- Equipment or environmental adjustments
- Considerations related to medical, religious, or personal needs
Timeline, Results and Important Notes
7. Processing Timeline and Outcome Notification
Processing Timeline
Applications are typically processed within 15 working days from the date when all required information has been received.
Complex cases or those requiring additional information may take longer. Students will be informed if there is a delay.
Outcome Notification
Students will normally be informed of the outcome by email. In some cases, CEDARS may contact students for further clarification.
Where a housing offer is made, details of the arrangement and next steps will be provided.
Acceptance of Housing Offer
Students who receive a housing offer are required to confirm acceptance within a specified period (normally 3–5 days) as indicated in the offer email.
Failure to respond within the specified timeframe may result in the offer being withdrawn.
8. Confidentiality
All personal information and supporting documents will be handled in strict confidentiality.
Relevant information may be shared with staff involved in the allocation and support process on a need-to-know basis only, to facilitate appropriate arrangements.
Staff are required to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information in accordance with University policies.
9. Submission of Documents
Applications may be submitted through [link]
Documents in English or Chinese are accepted. Documents in other languages should be accompanied by a certified translation.
10. Request for Review
Students who wish to request a review of the outcome may submit additional information or clarification in writing within 14 days of notification.
Requests will be reviewed by a senior staff member not involved in the original decision.
11. Reapplication
Students whose applications are unsuccessful may submit a new application at any time if there is new or updated information that may affect the assessment outcome.
Resubmission without new information is unlikely to result in a different outcome.
12. Responsibilities of Residents
Students receiving special housing consideration are expected to comply with the same general requirements as other hall or residential students, including:
- Payment of accommodation fees on time;
- Compliance with hall or residence rules and regulations;
- Participation in required administrative or residential procedures;
- unless otherwise approved in advance as part of the special housing arrangement.
13. Annual Review
Students with ongoing housing needs may be required to provide updated information for each academic year to ensure continued eligibility and appropriate support.
14. Transparency and Information
Information on accessible facilities and housing arrangements will be made available through CEDARS. Students may make enquiries or seek further clarification where needed.
15. Final Decision
All decisions regarding special housing consideration are made by CEDARS based on the information provided and operational considerations. The decision of CEDARS shall be final.
Accessibility Support
To ensure students with disabilities, health conditions, or other special housing needs can access safe, dignified, and inclusive accommodation, HKU residences incorporate accessibility features across facilities and operations.
Key Accessibility Features
Barrier-free Access and Circulation
Accessibility and Safety in Shared Facilities
Accessibility Room Layouts and Fittings
Support in Residence
- On‑site support: Live‑in Tutorial Teams and Residence Offices for communication, coordination, and ongoing assistance.
- Application and review: CEDARS integrates special housing needs within the Residence Application and Special Housing processes, with confidential documentation and timely review.
- Allocation: Where possible, accessible/adaptable rooms are allocated to better meet individual needs.
- Inclusive community: Accessible event planning, simple feedback channels to report barriers, and periodic reviews to track improvements.
Requesting Special Housing Arrangements
Students who require accessibility support or specific housing arrangements due to disabilities, health conditions, SEN, or other special housing needs are encouraged to submit a request as early as possible.
Students should provide relevant supporting documentation to help CEDARS understand their needs and consider suitable accommodation arrangements, such as accessible room locations, proximity to lifts, quieter areas, or other appropriate adjustments where applicable.
Accessible rooms and specific arrangements are subject to availability and operational feasibility. Early submission allows more time for review, allocation and any necessary follow-up.
Guest Rooms
Accommodation options near HKU
A variety of hotels and hostels located near HKU offer flexible short-term or long-term stays for students. Please go to Non-University Accommodation section or see the Pre-vetted housing list for information. Please check with individual listings for rates, availability, and booking instructions.
Summer Letting
SITES AVAILABLE
| Sites | Residences | Transportation to Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Main Campus | Simon K. Y. Lee Hall, Swire Hall | Located in Campus |
| Jockey Club Student Village I | Lady Ho Tung Hall, Starr Hall | On foot |
| Jockey Club Student Village II | Lee Shau Kee Hall, Morrison Hall, Suen Chi Sun Hall | Bus routes: 4, 4X, 7, 37B, 40, 40M, 90B, 91 |
| Pokfulam Road | University Hall | Bus routes: 4, 4X, 7, 37B, 40, 40M, 90B, 91 |
| Sites | Residences | Transportation to Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Jockey Club Student Village III (Kennedy Town) | Shun Hing College, Chi Sun College, Lap-Chee College, New College. | MTR from Kennedy Town Station to HKU Station |
| Jockey Club Student Village IV (Wong Chuk Hang) | College 1, College 2, Karson Choi College, D. H. Chen College | Bus routes: 4, 71 MTR from Wong Chuk Hang Station to HKU Station |
Other University-admin housing
| Residences | Address | Transportation to Main Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Ching Lin Terrace Residence | 10 Ching Lin Terrace, Kennedy Town, HK | MTR from Kennedy Town Station to HKU Station |
| Mui Fong House | 10 Mui Fong Street, Sai Ying Pun, HK | MTR from Sai Ying Pun Station to HKU Station |
Rate
Double room with two single beds. Floors on a single gender basis. Communal bathrooms and toilets, Network point, WIFI, hot and cold water. Each person is provided with a bed, a pillow, 1 bedsheet, 1 blanket, a desk, a chair and a wardrobe. Air conditioning and linen will be provided but towels will not be.
Booking Enquiries
Telephone : 852 - 3917 2305
Email : cedars.housing@hku.hk
Updated on 16 January 2026
